Archive for the ‘SUVs’ tag

Debuting in 1992, the GMC Typhoon SUV borrowed from the script written by the high-performance GMC Syclone pickup, adding more amenities, a rear seat and an enclosed hatch. It, too, offered four-wheel drive and a turbocharged V-6 engine beneath the hood, rated at 280 horsepower and 360 pound feet of torque. The combination of comfort and brute force proved (relatively) attractive to buyers, and despite the Typhoon’s lofty sticker price, GMC dealers sold nearly 4,700 examples in the truck’s two years on the market.

This 1993 GMC Typhoon, for sale on Hemmings.com, comes from the uber-SUV’s last year of production, and the two-owner truck carries a mere 66,000 miles on its odometer. While lacking in off-road and towing ability, the Typhoon remains a solid performer, capable of dashing from 0-60 MPH in the six-second range. Better still, it’s an example of a time when Big Three automakers thought outside the box, finding new ways to demonstrate that the muscle car (or in this case, muscle SUV) wasn’t dead after all. From the seller’s description:

Few trucks highlighted in our daily “Find of the Day” piece receive the same amount of commentary as vintage Dodge Power Wagons, which appear in our classifieds on a somewhat regular basis. Perhaps it’s the rugged good looks of the WM series, which carried on with World War II styling from 1945 until safety and emission regulations killed the truck for good in 1968. Now, thanks to Legacy Classic Trucks in Driggs, Idaho, the Power Wagon has been reborn for a new age, and is available in two-door, four-door or Carryall (SUV) variants.

To be clear, Legacy isn’t building new Power Wagons from the ground up, although given how much work goes into producing one of its trucks, it would be hard to tell the difference. Beginning with a clean Carryall WC-53 or pickup donor (which can be sourced by Legacy or provided by a customer), the firm performs a body-off-frame restoration and then begins reassembling the truck with modern mechanicals and interior appointments, many of which can be chosen by prospective buyers during the ordering process.

Power comes from the customer’s choice of a 6.2-liter, 430-horsepower Chevrolet LS3 V-8 (to which purists would cry “blasphemy”) or a 3.9-liter inline six four-cylinder Cummins turbo diesel, which delivers 480 pound-feet of torque yet reportedly returns 24 MPG highway fuel economy. Buyers get a choice of either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic, and heavy-duty cooling comes standard on all builds. The suspension is upgraded for longer travel and fitted with Bilstein shocks. A Dynatrac ProRock 80 rear axle is fitted, while the front gets a Dana 60; both differentials lock for optimized traction in sand, mud or snow. Four-wheel disc brakes replace the original drums, and a variety of wheel and tire packages permit owners to choose the ultimate on- or off-road setup.

Inside, the Legacy Power Wagon bears little resemblance to its utilitarian donor truck. Front seat passengers get swiveling leather captain’s chairs, while rear-seat passengers (on four-door or Carryall models) enjoy a substantially upgraded leather bench seat. All passengers get modern three-point seatbelts for safety, and air-conditioning is a standard feature. Custom audio packages allow buyers to add features like satellite radio and Bluetooth phone integration, but don’t think that the redesigned truck has gone soft; rocker switches are sealed, marine-grade units, and even the wiring harness is purposely designed to be weatherproof.

As one would expect from a completely customized vehicle, upgrades are limited primarily by the buyer’s imagination and budget. For additional ground clearance, portal axles can be ordered, and a supercharger is available for added power on gasoline-fueled engines. A roll cage can be fitted for additional occupant protection, and a rear winch can be specified to supplement the 16,500-pound Warn winch that’s affixed to the front bumper. Powered side steps allow for easier entry and exit, but retract to provide maximum ground clearance and additional protection for the running boards. For those with a real sense of adventure, even long-range fuel tanks can be configured.

Like the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruisers repurposed by custom builder Icon, the Legacy Power Wagons don’t come cheap. According to the company representative we spoke to at SEMA, base prices start in the neighborhood of $170,000 for a turnkey truck with very few options (less, presumably, for buyers who supply suitable Power Wagon donor vehicles). The relatively rare Power Wagon Carryall seen here carries an as-equipped sticker price of $189,950, and we suppose it wouldn’t be difficult to top the $200,000 barrier by checking more option boxes during the build process; check all of them, and the price will approach a quarter-million dollars. While that may seem like quite a bit of money to spend on a Dodge Power Wagon, the end result is effectively a hand-built, low-production vehicle that delivers a unique blend of classic looks and modern functionality. In these days of $38 million Ferraris and $3.5 million Hemi ‘Cudas, there’s surely a market for $200,000 Power Wagons.

Meteorologists are predicting a cooler-than-average summer for the Northeast, but there’s a 100 percent chance of Syclones and Typhoons at this year’s August Carlisle Truck Nationals. GMC’s limited-production hot-rod pickup and SUV will take center stage in Building Y (and the adjacent field) as the Syclone and Typhoon (SyTy, for short) community honors these high-output haulers.

Based upon a concept shown at the 1989 North American International Auto Show, the GMC Syclone (deliberately misspelled, as Mercury retained the rights to the Cyclone name) debuted for the 1991 model year, though few new-car shoppers knew what to make of it. Equipped with all-wheel drive that sent 65 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, the Syclone’s reduced ride height and aerodynamic body cladding eliminated any off-road usage. Though it wore a conventional pickup bed, the Syclone wasn’t rated for towing and could only haul a maximum load of 500 pounds, excluding passengers. But it could still nevertheless haul.

Photo courtesy GM Media Archives.

Under the hood, a 4.3-liter Vortec V-6 was fitted with strengthened internals, and then equipped with a turbocharger and intercooler that helped the engine generate a conservatively rated 280 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque. Bolted exclusively to a four-speed automatic transmission, the combination was sufficient to get the 3,526-pound Syclone from 0-60 MPH in 5.3 seconds, which Car and Driver gleefully pointed out was quicker than a Ferrari 348ts. It was quicker through the quarter mile than the Ferrari as well, turning a 14.1 second time at 93 MPH to the Ferrari’s 14.5 seconds at 99 MPH.

Marlboro Syclone, one of 10 built. Photo by Jeff Koch.

Records show that 2,995 Syclones were built for 1991, all of them painted black with a black interior. Plans were made to offer the truck in other colors for the 1992 model year, but slow sales forced GM to change its mind after only a handful of 1992 models were constructed. As a pickup, the Syclone fell too short on utility for most buyers, and as a sports car, it looked a bit too much like a conventional GMC Sonoma pickup. Its $25,970 base price (more than double that of any other Sonoma model) didn’t win it many fans, either, even when Car and Driver illustrated the $96,210 cost savings versus the Ferrari.

Marlboro Syclones also featured a T-top roof. Photo by Jeff Koch.

Introduced for the 1992 model year, the GMC Typhoon applied the same hot rod utility vehicle concept to the GMC Jimmy SUV, and like the Syclone, was built for GMC by Production Automotive Services in Troy, Michigan. Where the Syclone was Spartan, the Typhoon was luxurious, offering amenities like a broad choice of colors (including shades like Bright Teal and Raspberry Metallic), leather upholstery and a premium audio system. Like the Syclone, the Typhoon’s reduced ride height (even with its self-leveling rear air suspension, a feature not found on the pickup) and body cladding made it a poor choice for any kind of off-roading, even with the same all-wheel-drive system employed by its pickup cousin. Also like the Syclone, the Typhoon was not rated for towing, but it could haul four adults in reasonable comfort at velocities best described as “astonishing for an SUV,” particularly in 1992.

1992 GMC Typhoon. Photo courtesy GM Media Archives.

Power for the Typhoon came from the exact same turbocharged and intercooled Vortec V-6 used in the Syclone, and once again, a four-speed automatic was the sole transmission choice. Weighing in at 3,800 pounds, the Typhoon was a bit slower than the pickup, with most sources reporting 0-60 MPH times above six seconds. Once at speed, however, its ability to gain momentum was truly impressive, and far beyond the reach of any other SUV on the market at the time.

Perhaps it was the Typhoon’s passenger and cargo hauling capability that won it fans, but GMC produced 4,697 Typhoons in the two years the uber-SUV was on the market. Its starting price of $29,470 was still high, but perhaps the improved functionality made this more justifiable in the minds of shoppers; in any case, it wasn’t double the price of a GMC Jimmy (particularly a well-equipped one), which likely tore down a psychological barrier for prospective buyers.

Photo courtesy GM Media Archives.

GMC’s experiment with ultra-high-performance pickups and SUVs ended following the 1993 model year, but Syclones and Typhoons still enjoy a loyal following and an active support network. The Carlisle Truck Nationals will feature both stock and “full custom” examples of both, and it’s likely the display will include at least one (of 10 built) Marlboro Syclones, the grand prize in a 1992 contest sponsored by the cigarette manufacturer. In addition to the familiar red and white livery, the Larry Shinoda-designed Marlboro Syclones included leather Recaro seats with five-point harnesses; a Momo steering wheel; a targa roof and sliding rear window; a Sony audio system; custom wheels and high-performance Goodyear tires; a reduced ride height; a Borla exhaust and a retuned ECU for added performance.

The 2014 Carlisle Truck Nationals will take place August 1-3 at the Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. For additional information, visit CarlisleEvents.com; for additional information on SyTys at Carlisle, visit SyTyEvents.com.

If the photos that accompany this 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer for sale on Hemmings.com look like brochure photos, that has as much to do with the photographer’s choice of locations as it does the pristine nature of the Jeep itself, which looks like it was detailed immediately after every time somebody sat in it. While it’s not uncommon to find refurbished Grand Wags nowadays, this low-mileage example appears to have never needed all that much freshening up. From the seller’s description:

Finished in Baltic Blue Metallic over a Sand interior, everything is all original and in well-preserved condition, making this an exceptional opportunity to acquire an American icon and the final production run, “Best of the Breed” example. For the last decade this truck has seen only occasional use, always garaged and used as a seasonal beach cruiser during the summer months. It has been serviced regularly throughout its life and recently received a full engine, suspension and transmission service.

The Wagoneer had one of the longest production runs in US history, spanning 28 years under license of three different manufacturers. Chrysler bought the rights to Jeep in 1987, and set about making a few minor changes to the Wagoneer, refining the exterior and addressing some known faults of the car, prompting new branding as the “Grand” Wagoneer. The 1987 plus model year Grand Wagoneers, received improved wood siding, modernized aluminum wheels and two stage base coat/clear coat paint finish. In 1989 the Grand Wagoneer received a few more upgrades to keep it competitive with its new competitor, the Grand Cherokee. These final three production years received a new A/C compressor, rear wiper assembly and an overhead console with compass and temperature gauges. The changes made to these 1989-1991 model year Grand Wagoneers and the resulting strong sales numbers further a legacy that solidified the Wagoneer’s place in automotive history. These examples are known as “the best of the breed,” not because of Chrysler’s marketing, but their high production quality, classic styling and strong mechanicals have caused Jeep enthusiasts to bestow them with that honor.

This Grand Wagoneer has stood the test of time, showing its age beautifully, with paint and wood siding still in pristine condition, a straight, original and rust-free body with consistent factory panel fits and gaps. The chrome has few imperfections, the glass and rubber are in excellent original condition and the original wheels are flawless and wrapped in tires with plenty of remaining tread. All of the power windows, wipers, A/C, and instrument cluster are still original and in perfect working order, as are the compass and temperature gauges. The truck has an excellent aftermarket Alpine Radio/CD player with an auxiliary plug in; however, the original Jeep unit is also included in case its next owner wants to return the car to entirely original. The car has had weatherproof rubber mats that have kept the carpets pristine and the seats are equally clean, the leather crack-free and the Cumberland cord inserts showing negligible signs of age. The fit and finish of the dash, and all the control knobs for the power windows, A/C system, and cruise control are solid.

After twenty-four years on the road, this Grand Wagoneer is in exceptional working order. The engine feels powerful and solid, and the three-speed Chrysler transmission’s shifting is smooth and on point. The car drives straight and true, and brakes and handling are all as they should be. As mentioned above, the car underwent an extensive service, with all fluids being replaced, any worn seals addressed and the suspension checked for leaks. The 4WD system was also serviced and had its fluids replaced. Consequently, the ride quality and performance are what one would expect from a well-maintained, 39K original mile car.

It’s not as though Detroit didn’t try to increase the mass appeal of pickups and SUVs before Ross Roberts came along. It’s just that nobody seems to have had more success at putting trucks in almost every suburban driveway than Roberts, the former Ford Motor Company vice president who died earlier this past Tuesday at the age of 75.

Efforts to give trucks less of a rural image date back to the 1950s, with a number of manufacturers offering two-tone paint schemes as part of their spring specials and with both Mopar and GM introducing trucks like the flashy Cameo and the be-finned Sweptside. Plenty of other efforts to do the same followed, including the sedan-pickup bodystyle of the El Camino and Ranchero, the custom truck and van craze of the Seventies, and the introduction of compact pickups in the late Seventies and early Eighties, but they largely remained niche or utilitarian products.

As Automotive News pointed out, though, it took Roberts’s championing of trucks and his marketing skills to turn that around in the late 1980s and early 1990s, largely by positioning the Ford Explorer as a family vehicle and alternative to the minivan rather than as an off-roader, as previous SUVs had been marketed. More car-like amenities – additional doors, softer suspensions, upgraded interiors, and expanded option sheets – followed suit.

Roberts did much more than just transform pickups and SUVs into everyday vehicles. Born in Texas in February 1938, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma and served in the U.S. Army before joining Ford in 1962. He would go on to become vice president of Lincoln-Mercury sales and marketing as well as vice president of sales and marketing at the Ford Division. In 1985, he became general marketing manager for Ford and spent the next several years overseeing the launch and success of the Taurus, then in 1988 rose to vice president of Ford Motor Company. He retired from Ford in 1999, and two years later was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Roberts died Tuesday in Naples, Florida. No cause of death appears to have been released.

Before SUVs became rolling luxury liners, complete with climate-controlled wood-garnished and leather-wrapped interiors, they were trucks, designed solely for the purpose of getting owners from point A to point B, regardless of weather or terrain in between. While this V-8 powered 1976 GMC Jimmy High Sierra for sale on Hemmings.com may lack the amenities of modern SUVs, it does come complete with a removable cap and a back seat that unbolts to add cargo room. It’s only seen two owners over its near four-decade life, and the current caretaker describes it as entirely rust free. From the seller’s description:

How many of these 1976 GMC Jimmy 4×4″s do you see for sale? Not many like this if any. This is a two owner 1976 High Sierra GMC Jimmy with one repaint. The paint is a year old and completely CA rust free guaranteed. For a 38 year old vehicle it is in excellent condition and looks great. The first owner said it never been driven in any snow. The beige interior is very nice and original with the exception of the front bucket seats that have been redone with padding and the same material as law enforcement uses for longetivity wear. The rest is all original and untouched. The dash pad is perfect no cracks albeit I chose to put a dash mat on the dash for further protection. Engine bay is untouched original as well with tire jack still in place. Has power steering, power disk brakes, gauges, bucket seats with center console, Alpine Stereo System with a highly professional level of installation, tinted windows, removable hard top, removable back seat, Rallye wheels, chrome front and rear bumpers and tow hitch. 15×8 Rallye wheels with full spare. The motor is a numbers matching 400 C.I. with original 400 Turbo Transmission. Flow Master Exhaust less than a year old and Warn lockable hubs so you can drive in 4×2 and 4×4. This Jimmy was always kept in a climate controlled garage and well cared for all of its life in it’s 38 years. I have the owners manual and original Title and papers. Feel free to call if you have any question or concerns on this original SUV that started it all.